Shooter at Hanna City party gets 60 years in prison

PEORIA — A North Valley man was sentenced to 60 years in prison Friday for shooting three people at a large outdoor party in rural Peoria County last year.

Peoria County Circuit Judge John Vespa found that Ryan C.S. Miller's actions caused great bodily harm. He must serve at least 85 percent of his three 20-year sentences. Vespa also said the three sentences, each for aggravated battery, were to be served consecutively. A fourth charge, possession of a weapon by a felon, netted Miller, 20, a three-year prison term that will be served at the same time as the aggravated battery counts.

Miller, of 1121 NE Rock Island Ave., was convicted in July after a jury trial on three counts of aggravated battery and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm in connection with the May 24, 2016, incident in rural Hanna City.

The victims, all teens, were at the party when they were shot. The party, which was in the 2800 block of Murphy Road, included teens from all over the Tri-County Area. Many were under the age of 23, authorities have said. All three teens, who were either 17 or 18, suffered non-life-threatening injuries to their legs.

It appears the shootings were the result of a confrontation between Miller and a person who owed money for drugs. None of the victims who were shot were involved in the drug transaction. Prosecutors claimed that as the group was leaving the party, Miller turned and fired a handgun at least four times into a crowd of about 50 people, striking the three teens.

In addition to his prison term, Miller was also ordered to pay $3,707.83 in restitution to one of the victims.

Andy Kravetz can be reached at 686-3283 or akravetz@pjstar.com. Follow him on Twitter @andykravetz.